"He categorically and unequivocally denies that these allegations are true," she said, adding that Ford apparently did not want to be named publicly and was identified only after her claim was leaked to the media.

Conway noted Feinstein knew of these allegations since July but did not act on them. She said Kavanaugh responded to nearly 1,300 written questions and that "one million pieces of paper" were put forward on his behalf.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California said that "people have suffered enough" because of President Trump and that a real leader would re-open the part of the government that has been shuttered since December.